Fourth Annual Dog Jog to Benefit Pets Come First/The New SPCA
by Karen Dabney
CENTRE HALL–The fourth annual Dog Jog and Pet Fair on Saturday, April 28 at the Grange Fairgrounds offers canines and their humans a fun way to help Pets Come First/The New SPCA. Proceeds from the fundraiser will finance Pets Come First’s mission to help abandoned and surrendered pets find new homes, support their spay/neuter program for feral cats, and help them run the former Pennsylvania SPCA animal shelter in Centre Hall.
“We think that with the publicity we’re getting this year, it will be bigger and better than last year,” said Dar Bellissimo, a Pets Come First board member. She and fellow board members Nicole DeFazio and Cathy O’Connell are the organizers of this year’s Dog Jog.
Bellissimo said that last year, 249 runners and 163 dogs participated in the the Dog Jog, along with many sponsors, vendors, and pet rescues. The event raised over $15,500, and was Pets Come First’s largest fundraiser.
Registration for the 2012 Dog Jog will begin at 8:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. 5K race and for the 11 a.m. 1.5K walk/fun run. Racers can register on the day of the event.
The first 150 registrants will receive a T-shirt and bandanna. Prizes will be given to the top three male and female dogs and their humans. The Dog Jog will be held rain or shine.
Racers and walkers without dogs are also welcome. The registration fee of $30 per runner and $25 per walker will be waived for those who collect $60 or more in pledges. Everyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Bellissimo said there is a limit of one dog per handler, and all dog owners must show proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination with a rabies tag or certificate. This also applies to visitors who are not running or walking in the Dog Jog. To ensure a safe event, she said that all dogs must be on a leash. Flex leads and nose to nose contact between dogs are not permitted. The dogs should not be aggressive or in heat.
In addition to the race and walk, the Dog Jog will offer a Pet Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with local animal rescue organizations, animal resources and vendors, a pet photographer, refreshments, and a silent auction. Pets Come First and the other rescues will have some adoptable animals available at the fair for people to meet.
Bellissimo said it is a good opportunity to interact with a potential new pet. “You can see how your dog interacts with the adoptable dogs.”
Pets Come First took over the management and operation of the SPCA Centre Hall shelter in January 2012. Deb Warner, president of the all-volunteer organization, said they need to raise $250,000 per year to run the shelter.
“There’s a whole different energy at the shelter when you walk in,” Bellissimo said. “The animals are exhausted by 4 p.m. because they’re getting so much one on one attention and socialization. People are there for the animals, and the animals know it.”
Bellissimo said 131 dogs and cats were adopted from the shelter from January through March 2012. They also held two cat clinics in which 78 feral cats were spayed or neutered.
“We encourage everyone to come out to the Dog Jog and have fun, and support us making a difference one animal at a time,” Bellissimo said. “The local donations are helping local animals.”
Top Dog Sponsors include Linda Jabco of Jabco Maggi Motors, the Harley Davidson Store, Straley’s Veterinary Associates, Pawsitively Pets Magazine, Metzger Animal Hospital, M and M Copy Service, and Nittany Valley Offset.
The Pets Come First Adoption Center is located at 2451 General Potter Highway (Route 322) in Centre Hall. For more information about the Dog Jog or Pets Come First, visit petscomefirst.org or call the Adoption Center at 814-364-1725.
Pet Fair Vendors and Animal Rescues at the Dog Jog
Animal Welfare Council of the Alleghenies
Animal Communicator Jamie Isenburg
April’s Alpha Art
CCC Photography
Center County Memorial
Centre County PAWS
Centre Wildlife Care
Clinton County SPCA
Collar Creations
D-Stress Station
Hundred Cat Foundation
Jamberry Nails
Kiwanis Club
Metzger Animal Hospital
Mifflin Co. & Juniata Co. Pet Pantry
Nature’s Pantry
Nittany Beagle Rescue
Nittany Greyhounds
Origami Owl
Pampered Chef
Pawsitively Pets Magazine/Your Perfect Fit
Pet Pit Stop
Petco
Pets Come First
Red Line Speed Shine
Silpada Jewelry
SPCA Humane Officer
Tastefully Simple
Terry’s Tails
Thirty One
Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue
Trina Bauer Photography
